A/N: It's finally here! Hogwarts! So begins the adventure. Not much to say right now except HERE WE GO!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I intend to make money off of this fanfiction. I am doing this purely for fun. Original ideas and characters by J.K Rowling.
Chapter 8- A Castle Built On Dreams
"What about our trunks?" Harry asked as they stepped out of the tiny train door.
"Oh the house elves will bring our trunks to our beds." Ron stated. Harry was fascinated by the thought of house elves. What were they? Little creatures that used wands? With huge pointy noses? Harry didn't push the subject as they wiggled their way through the crowd.
Harry looked around wondering where they were supposed to go until he heard a familiar call.
"Firs' years! Firs' years! Over here. Come this way!" It was Hagrid.
"Come on Ron I know where we are supposed to go!" Harry followed the voice until he could see Hagrid towering above the crowd.
"Hey Hagrid!" Harry called over the noise.
"'ello Harry! 'ow was yer trip?" Hagrid asked happily.
"It was great!" Harry answered.
"Well, jus' head this way with the rest o' the firs' years. I'll be there in one second." Hagrid walked away continuing to call for the rest of the first years.
"Who's that?" Ron asked sounding awed and scared.
"That's Hagrid" harry said smirking, happy eh knew something Ron didn't. Harry and Ron walked down the path Hagrid had pointed too and stopped at the water. There were about ten boats sitting, waiting to cast off. Harry saw most of the other first years were already in a boat, so they followed.
"Let's get into this one" Harry said as they passed a boat with a Toad less Neville and Hermione. As they sat down, Neville and Hermione said their hellos.
"Hi Harry, Ron" Neville said, sounding scared. Hermione was the complete opposite.
"Hello again you two. Did you enjoy your ride?" She asked seriously. Harry and Ron shared a look and broke out laughing.
"Hi Neville. Hello Hermione. If knocking a bully out counts as enjoyable, then yes. We had an enjoyable ride" Harry and Ron laughed harder as the blond boy staggered into the clearing, his body guards at his side.
"I'll get you yet, Malfoy… I mean potter." The blond boy slurred. He then stepped into a boat, and fell straight back into the water. This made Ron and Harry laugh harder still.
Hermione looked torn between disgust and laughter. Neville was giggling softly. After a few minutes Harry managed to stop laughing.
"So who is he then?" Harry asked. "He also called me Malfoy, which is weird." A red faced Ron responded.
"He is a Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy son actually. That's the funny part. He said 'I'll get you yet Malfoy' and we did get him and he was talking to… himself… no?" Ron was the only one that laughed at that joke. It was possibly the worst joke Harry had ever heard.
Just then, Hagrid walked into the clearing. "All righ'" He said stepping into a boat. "Here we go!" Hagrid tapped the water with his pink umbrella, and small waves formed behind the boats pushing them along the water. Malfoy was flopping half in the boat, half out and Harry had the urge to use the Knockback Jinx again and send him flying across the lake.
Before he could even voice this idea to Ron, there was a collective gasp from the group. There ahead of them, was Hogwarts Castle, up on a big cliff. The castle itself was graceful and huge. There boats slowly propelled themselves under the castle into a small chamber where all the first years got out of the boats, except Malfoy, Who fell back in the water.
They walked up a narrow stair case carved into the stone. They exited into what looked like and Entrance Hall. It was a beautiful sight. The regal designs all over the high roof gave it a medieval ballroom look. Waiting for them was a very stern looking lady wearing spectacles. Harry knew immediately he didn't want to ever get on her bad side.
"Hello first years, my name is Professor McGonagall. I will be your Transfiguration Professor for the duration of the time you are here." The Lady was looking over them, as if assessing what she was dealing with. "If you would please form a line, we will enter the Great hall to begin the Sorting."
"What's the sorting?" Harry asked nervously to Ron.
"When you are sorted into one of the four houses: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. My entire family has been in Gryffindor so I hope I make it into Gryffindor." Ron looked very nervous as well.
"When your name is called, please step forward, sit down on the stool and place the hat on your head." Professor McGonagall continued. What hat? Harry thought as they started to move forward. The Sorting Hat, Harry. Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. He had no idea Ginny had been listening. Of course I have been listening Harry. Harry jumped. He had also forgotten she could hear his thoughts. Oh. Right. Harry could hear her laughing through his head. Harry looked around again. He hadn't realized they had entered the Great Hall. There were four long tables, all filled with students. The hall was decorated with all the houses colors. Red and Gold, Yellow and Black, Green and Silver and Blue and Bronze. Harry then looked up at the roof to realize there was none. Of course there is a roof, Harry. It's enchanted to look like the sky. Harry could hear the smugness in Ginny's voice. He laughed softly and Ron gave him a weird look. Ok, ok. I was brought up in the Muggle world, remember? That put a stop to Ginny's laughter. Harry looked up just in time to see Malfoy stagger up the chair and sit down.
Before the Sorting Hat was even on Malfoy's head, it made the call.
"SLYTHERIN!" It yelled.
"No surprises there." Whispered Ron to Harry. Before Harry could respond, Ron was called up. As fast as Malfoy, the Sorting Hat threw Ron in Gryffindor. With the numbers dwindling, Harry new he was to be sorted soon.
"Potter, Harry" Harry gave a start when Professor McGonagall called his name. Good luck Harry. Ginny said, trying to support Harry. Suddenly there was no sound at all. The whole Great Hall had gone silent, and was staring. Harry slowly shuffled up to the stool, his face burning. He sat down and placed the hat over his head. It slipped down over Harry's eyes and a welcome darkness enveloped Harry.
"Well, well, well." Said a small voice in his ear. "I wondered when I would be seeing you" Hello, Harry thought to the hat. "Well, shall we do what you came here to do? Yes, let's see. Ah, but where is your other half?" The hat inquired. My other half? Harry thought. But I'm completely here! "Yes you are physically, but the other half of your soul is not. Ah, Mrs. Potter I see you inhabit part of young Mr. Potter's soul. What? Is he talking about me? Ginny asked nervously. "Yes Mrs. Potter I am talking about you." The hat said. Harry could feel Ginny's surprise. You… you can hear me? Ginny stammered. "Yes, of course I can." Answered the hat. "I can see into your heart and soul."
So, what happened to us? Harry asked. "Oh of course, you don't know. It happened just today, did it not? Well, have you ever heard of a Soul Bond?" Harry heard Ginny gasp. What's a Soul Bond? Harry inquired curiously. It means we… we are bonded together for all of eternity by the soul .We are like a package. The two of us make a whole. It also means… we are legally married. It was Harry's turn to gasp. What? "I know it is a lot to take in" said the Sorting Hat. "But you should know. That is why your eyes changed colors Harry, Ginny. That is also why there is a Wolf tattoo above each of your hearts. It represents the bond. You should also know this is why you can talk to each other in your heads."
Harry felt dizzy. It was so much to take in. The hat continued. "Your fates are now tied. If one of you dies, so does the other. You will be able to feel each other's emotion and pain. This is something far more intimate than any normal relationship. You two were destined for each other." The hat left Harry and Ginny shocked, but with a new understanding of their lives.
"Now, I would love to stay and chat, but, I think the people are waiting. So it'll have to be GRYFFINDOR" That hat should. Harry weakly pulled the hat off his head and was dazed by the light that shone through. Everyone's mouths were hanging open. They were staring at him in some sort of awe.
Harry noticed many of them were not looking at him but above him. Harry looked up and saw a huge golden wolf, glowing above his head. The wolf was sitting on the words Anima Bond, which Harry somehow new was Latin for soul bond.
Harry walked over to the silent Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Ron. The wolf started to fade and Dumbledore cleared his throat to gain the students attention. Well Ginny, Harry started. I think we made quite an entrance. Harry heard Ginny laugh softly. He turned his attention back to Dumbledore.
"Well… that was… interesting" The old man stated. He seemed to physically gather himself up. "Well, let us eat, but before, a few words of wisdom. Veni. Quasi. Pie jesu." (A/N: If you care to search that up, it's Latin for I like pie. :P) And with that, Dumbledore sat down, and the food appeared on platters in the middle of all the tables. Hogwarts sure is a crazy place, Harry said in his head. It sure is, Ginny. Also, I would love to stay and watch you eat, but I am a human being, and I do need to eat food to survive. So, I am going to eat dinner now. I'll talk to you after, ok? Ginny sarcasm made Harry laugh loudly and Ron looked at him again as if he was crazy.
Ok Ginny. Oh, and try not to make me laugh too much in public. Ron keeps giving me these looks like I'm some sort of maniac when I just randomly laugh like that. Harry really had no problem with it, he just really wanted to stay friends with Ron. Ok Harry. Bye. Ginny sounded like she was laughing again. Bye Ginny. Harry responded. Then he turned to Ron and very much enjoyed the rest of dinner, apart from the occasional stare. After dessert, Dumbledore got up to make a few announcements.
"…and remember, the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students." He gave a meaningful look towards to laughing redheaded twins Harry assumed were Ron's brothers. "Oh one last thing, the Third Floor Corridor is off limits to everyone unless you would like to die a slow, painful death." Dumbledore finished happily. After a few seconds of quiet, Professor McGonagall stood up.
"Up to bed now! Big day tomorrow! You don't want to spend your first day exhausted, do you?" She shouted. There was a collective scraping as the benches were pushed back, and everyone stood up.
"First Years!" A Gryffindor Prefect was calling. Harry assumed it was another one of Ron's brothers, due to his flaming red hair. Harry, Ron and the other first year Gryffindor's, who Harry had learned were Dean, Seamus, Neville, Lavender, Parvati and Hermione, followed the prefect up many flights of stairs into the Gryffindor Tower. Harry tried to keep track of the turns, but it was impossible because there were so many. Ron told Harry not to worry and that he would remember in time, but he looked worried himself.
Finally, they reached the Gryffindor tower. The prefect said the password and led them in. He showed them the dormitories, and pointed them to their beds
Harry walked over to his hug four poster bed. His trunk was placed neatly by the foot of the bed. He assumed this was the 'House Elves' doing. Harry was exhausted so he quickly put on his pajamas and got into bed and shut the curtains. It was very nice to sleep in a real bed for once.
After Harry and Ron said their goodnights, Harry called out to Ginny in his mind.
Well Mrs. Potter, he said quietly. I guess there is not much to talk about considering what the Sorting Hat told us. Harry was growing quite tired. Yes Mr. Potter, I agree. She said happily. I can tell you are very tired, so I'll stop bothering you. You are going to need your full strength for tomorrow. It warmed Harry's heart that she was worried about him, even though they we just getting to know each other. The bond brought them together. Yeah ok. Good night Ginny. Harry said drifting into sleep. Goodnight Harry, answered Ginny back as everything slipped into a peaceful darkness.
A/N: Well there it is. The soul bond has been discovered. I have no words. I think this is so far my all-time favorite chapter. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! Thanks again DrakeLayne for editing and revising this chapter. Be sure to check out his fanfiction If You Put a Ravenclaw in a Tardis! Thank you all for reading!
-HypocriticalHypo